Apparatus for converting wave motion on a body of water into electrical power
Apparatus for converting wave motion on a body of water into electrical power, includes a floatable housing in which an electrical power generating unit is disposed. The electrical power generating unit includes a rotatable axle to which at least one electrical generator is connected. A weight is connected to the rotatable axle by an arm, so that when the weight rotates due to wave motion the electrical generator generates electrical power. In one embodiment gearing connects the electrical generator to the axle. In another embodiment the weight rolls on the floor of the housing. And in another embodiment the weight includes at least one battery.
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TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention pertains generally to power generation, and more particularly to a fully enclosed floating power generating system which converts the kinetic energy of waves on a body of water into electrical energy.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONSystems which harness sea wave energy are known in the art. In one approach energy is generated when floating modules move up and down in response to wave action. In other systems the power generating mechanism uses the vertical motion inherent in the movement of waves to effect a corresponding displacement of a component of the generating system. Other systems utilize pendulums or the movement of fluid to generate power from wave motion. And still other systems utilize the tilting motion of a floating module to generate electrical power.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to apparatus for converting the energy of waves on a body of water into electrical power. The apparatus includes an electrical power generating unit which is enclosed in a compact, sealed, waterproof floating container (module) which protects the components from the elements of water, wind, salt, ice, and floating debris.
In accordance with an embodiment, apparatus for converting wave motion on a body of water into electrical power includes a floatable housing. An electrical power generating unit is disposed within the floatable housing. The electrical power generating unit includes a rotatable axle. At least one electrical generator is connected to the rotatable axle. A weight is connected to the rotatable axle by an arm, so that when the weight rotates due to the wave motion the electrical generator generates electrical power.
In accordance with another embodiment, the floatable housing has a floor. The weight rolls on the floor of the floatable housing.
In accordance with another embodiment, the floatable housing has a floor and a ceiling. The weight extends from the floor to the ceiling.
In accordance with another embodiment, the weight includes at least one battery.
In accordance with another embodiment, the arm has a length. The weight is positionable along the length of the arm.
In accordance with another embodiment, the apparatus includes an electrical coil. A magnet is disposed within the electrical coil, so that the magnet can rotate 360° in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions and induce a voltage in the coil.
In accordance with another embodiment, the floatable housing includes a buoyant section disposed below the electrical power generating unit. The buoyant section causes the electrical power generating unit to be elevated with respect to the body water.
In accordance with another embodiment, the floatable housing includes a sphere.
In accordance with another embodiment, a stabilizing ring is disposed around the floatable housing.
In accordance with another embodiment, the floatable housing has a top surface. A solar panel is disposed on the top surface.
Other embodiments, in addition to the embodiments enumerated above, will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the apparatus for converting wave motion on a body of water into electrical power.
Referring initially to
At least one electrical generator 32 is connected to rotatable axle 26. In the shown embodiment two generators 32 are connected to rotatable axle 26 by gearing 34. A weight 36 is connected to rotatable axle 26 by an arm 38, so that when weight 36 rotates due to wave motion on body of water 500 electrical generator 32 generates electrical power. It is noted that weight 36 can rotate 360° in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions about central axis 31. Weight 36 is rollable on floor 12 of floatable housing 22 by rollers 40. Rollers 40 can be the shown spherical rollers, cylindrical rollers, wheels, or the like. In the shown embodiment weight 36 also has rollers 40 which abut ceiling 14 and wall 16 of floatable housing 22. In the shown embodiment, weight 36 extends from floor 12 to ceiling 14. Also in the shown embodiment weight 36 includes at least one battery 42 for storing electrical power (six batteries shown in dashed lines in
Again referring to
In the shown embodiment a flat stabilizing ring 60 is disposed around the sphere. As is best seen in
The embodiments of the apparatus for converting wave motion on a body of water into electrical power described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, combinations, variations, and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve an equivalent result, all of which are intended to be embraced within the scope of the appended claims. Further, nothing in the above-provided discussions of the apparatus should be construed as limiting the invention to a particular embodiment or combination of embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. Apparatus for converting wave motion on a body of water into electrical power, comprising:
- a floatable housing;
- an electrical power generating unit disposed within said floatable housing, said electrical power generating unit including; a rotatable axle; at least one electrical generator connected to said rotatable axle by gearing; a weight connected to said rotatable axle by an arm, rotation of said weight causing said rotatable axle to rotate and said at least one electrical generator to generate electrical power, said rotation of said weight causable by the wave motion; and, said weight including at least one battery.
2. Apparatus for converting wave motion on a body of water into electrical power, comprising:
- a floatable housing;
- an electrical power generating unit disposed within said floatable housing, said electrical power generating unit including; a rotatable axle; at least one electrical generator connected to said rotatable axle; and, a weight connected to said rotatable axle by an arm, rotation of said weight causing said rotatable axle to rotate and said at least one electrical generator to generate electrical power, said rotation of said weight causable by the wave motion; and, said weight including at least one battery.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further including:
- said floatable housing having a floor; and,
- said weight rollable on said floor of said floatable housing.
4. The apparatus according to claim 2, further including:
- said floatable housing having a floor and a ceiling; and,
- said weight extending from said floor to said ceiling.
5. The apparatus according to claim 2, further including:
- said arm having a length; and,
- said weight positionable along said length of said arm.
6. The apparatus according to claim 2, further including:
- said floatable housing including a buoyant section disposed below said electrical power generating unit, said buoyant section causing said electrical power generating unit to be elevated with respect to the body water.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, further including:
- said floatable housing including a sphere.
8. The apparatus according to claim 2, further including:
- a stabilizing ring disposed around said floatable housing.
9. The apparatus according to claim 2, further including:
- said floatable housing having a top surface; and,
- a solar panel disposed on said top surface.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 1, 2015
Date of Patent: Apr 11, 2017
Inventor: Robert Georges Skaf (Thunder Bay)
Primary Examiner: Pedro J Cuevas
Application Number: 14/872,594
International Classification: B60L 11/12 (20060101); H02P 9/04 (20060101); F03B 13/20 (20060101); H02K 7/18 (20060101); F03B 13/10 (20060101);